42 Hot Tips for Compelling Content Marketing

2. Why Content Marketing?(NOTE: This is from Joes inaugural Junta42 post)One thing is for sure, it is the organizations, not individual users or publishers, that have thegreatest opportunity (and possibly learning curve) to create valuable content that makes animpact on people. Smart organizations are doing it now. More will come. Things are going to getinteresting. Joe Pulizzi Tweet it:Re: #contentmarketing in 2007: More will come.Things are going to get interesting. @juntajoehttp://bit.ly/16rQDeP #CMI42

3. Critical Content Marketing Trends that Signal Big Industry Changes AheadContent marketing is close to surpassing search marketing in popularity as a keyword searchterm. Joe Pulizzi Tweet it:Content Marketing is close to surpassing search marketing as keyword search term.@juntajoe http://bit.ly/16lcMth #CMI42The History of Content Marketing [Infographic] Corporate Storytelling is Not NewBrands have been telling stories to attract and retain customers for hundreds of years. Thedifference today is that the barriers to entry (content acceptance, talent and technology) nolonger exist for brands to get into the publishing arena. Joe Pulizzi Tweet it:Barriers to entry no longer exist for brands to get into publishing arena.@juntajoe http://bit.ly/12eeYlM #CMI42 #CMI42

4. 24 Top Content Marketing Questions Answered in Less than 140 CharactersContent marketing works with your other marketing, not in replacement of. The issue now is thatmost brands are underdeveloped in content marketing and we have to catch up. Joe Pulizzi Tweet it:Most brands are underdeveloped in #contentmarketing & we have to catch up.@juntajoe http://bit.ly/Z0b9Oq #CMI42The 7 Business Goals of Content Marketing: Inbound Marketing Isnt EnoughThe point is, there is no black and white in marketing; its all gray. There are no silver bullets.Marketing objectives sometimes need to be solved with a combination of efforts, not by puttingall your eggs in one basket. Joe Pulizzi Tweet it:The point is, there is no black & white in marketing; its all gray.@juntajoe http://bit.ly/Ts8TiI #CMI42#CMI42

5. First Things First Content Strategy Before Social StrategyThe question marketers must ask themselves is: What makes my brand so interesting thatpeople will want to talk about it and share it with their friends? (Even boring brands havesomething interesting to say!) You cant succeed in social media if you dont have somethinginteresting to say. Patricia Redsicker Tweet it:What makes my brand so interesting people will want to talk about it & share w friends?@predsicker http://bit.ly/Z0capH #CMI42Content Marketing: The Fallacy that More is BetterThere was a time for more, but that time has passed. Joe Pulizzi Tweet it:Re: #contentmarketing: There was a time for more, but that time has passed.@juntajoe http://bit.ly/14M7Stg #CMI42 #CMI42

6. The CMI Content Marketing Framework: 7 Building Blocks to SuccessThere are no silver bullets or one-size-fits-all plans that apply to every organization.However, there are some core, common elements across successful content marketingprograms. Joe Pulizzi Tweet it:There are some core, common elements across successful. #contentmarketing programs @juntajoehttp://bit.ly/14DkFh8 #CMI42Why You Need a Content Marketing Mission StatementI feel [the mission statement] is critical to set the tone for the idea of content marketing, or anymarketing for that matter. Marketing professionals from so many small and large businesses getso fixated on channels such as blogs, Facebook or Pinterest that they honestly have no clue ofthe underlying content strategy. So, the why must come before the what. Joe Pulizzi Tweet it:[Companies] have no clue of underlying content strategy. The WHY must come before the WHAT.@juntajoe http://bit.ly/RHmykD #CMI42#CMI42

7. Getting Buy-In for Your Content Marketing: A 3-Point ProcessIn your pitch, ask for a trial period of six months to a year to test out a content marketingprogram chances are the executives will be more comfortable with this than they wouldbe with making an all-or-nothing, long-term commitment to a program they may beunfamiliar with. Joe Griffin Tweet it:Ask for a trial period of 6 mo to 1 yr to test out #contentmarketing program @joegriffinhttp://bit.ly/VU1E3W #CMI42How to Justify the Cost of Content MarketingContent marketing costs 31 percent less than paid search for mid-size organizations and 41percent less than paid search for large organizations. Michele Linn Tweet it:#contentmarketing costs 31% less than paid search for mid-size orgs, 41% less for large orgs@michelelinn http://bit.ly/V2p225 #CMI42 #CMI42

8. Developing a Buyer Persona? Avoid these 4 Common MistakesIf your buyer personas are based on generic or internal ideas about your buyers, your contentwont be any better than it was before you had personas. Adele Revella Tweet it:If buyer personas are based on generic/internal ideasyour content wont get any better.@BuyerPersona http://bit.ly/RmXu5A #CMI42Content Marketing Strategy: 3 Experts on Tapping InfluencersAs Amanda Maksymiw, Leslie Reiser, and Waynette Tubbs remind us, it can be beneficial to lookbeyond the most obvious, popular people in your network to help you spread the word. [Thinkabout employees and customers, too.] Michele Linn Tweet it:It can be beneficial to look beyond the most obvious, popular people in your network to helpspread the word. @michelelinn http://bit.ly/YsDMEi #CMI42#CMI42

9. Brand Storytelling: 10 Steps to Start Your Content Marketing Heros JourneyThe [Heros Journey] structure is meant to provide a platform to help you to develop a way totell your story, or maybe to discover whats missing from your existing story. Its not a templatefor the story this is an important distinction, because your story will be unique to you, yourbrand, and the experience you are trying to create. Robert Rose Tweet it:[Heros Journey] structure is meant to...help develop a way to tell your story @Robert_Rosehttp://bit.ly/Z5JL1W #CMI427 Steps to Creating Your Content Marketing Channel PlanThe content strategy defines the channel strategy not the other way around. Joe Pulizzi Tweet it:The content strategy defines the channel strategy not the other way around. @juntajoehttp://bit.ly/VmUfZE #CMI42#CMI42

10. 58 Social Media Ideas to Inspire Your Content MarketingContent is nothing without the right distribution channels, which is why content marketing andsocial media make a great team. Michele Linn Tweet it:Content is nothing w/out right channels; #contentmarketing & social media make a great team.@michelelinn http://bit.ly/XKuDtT #CMI4212 Tips for Keyword Selection to Guide Your Content Marketing SEOIf you constantly create internet content without thinking through search engine optimization(SEO) and keywords, you will rank for something (content does resonate with search enginealgorithms). Yet, you will consistently run the risk of shortchanging your SEO strategy andyour companys ability to grab its fair share of relevant search engine traffic for branding,conversions and more. Mike Murray Tweet it:If you create internet content w/o thinking SEO/keywordsyou shortchange #SEO strategy.@mikeonlinecoach http://bit.ly/XLPAzM #CMI42#CMI42

12. Can B2B Marketers Become Content Whisperers?When trying to determine if what youre hearing from prospects should inform your contentmarketing strategy, the first thing you need to do is ground the feedback. Is the person (orpeople) youre listening to representative of the persona the marketing program is designed toengage? Ardath Albee Tweet it:Is the person u r listening to representative of persona the mktg program is designed to engage?@ardath421 http://bit.ly/VrtXav #CMI4214 Sources for Content Curation InspirationAfter you pick a topic to produce content around, one of the most common questions aboutgetting started with content curation is where do you get your content? After all, your curationefforts can only be as good as the source of your content. Pawan Deshpande Tweet it:Your curation efforts can only be as good as the source of your content. @getcuratahttp://bit.ly/VyB0A2 #CMI42#CMI42

13. The Essential Guide for Meta Descriptions that Will Get You Found OnlineIf you think meta descriptions are no longer important, this post may change your mind. In fact,with the rise of social media, they are more valuable than ever. Brad Shorr Tweet it:In rise of social media, [meta descriptions] are more valuable than ever. @bradshorrhttp://bit.ly/V2sQQP #CMI428 KPIs Your Content Marketing Measurement Should Includeit is important to keep in mind that not all unique visits are the same. For example, a uniquevisit to a white paper might be much more valuable for lead generation purposes than a uniquevisit to a blog especially if that visit spends more time with the content (which well get moreinto later on). Neil Bhapkar Tweet it:It is important to keep in mind that not all unique visits are the same. @neilbhapshttp://bit.ly/Wnb7Cy #CMI42 #CMI42

14. A Field Guide to the 4 Types of Content Marketing Metrics #eBookRemember why you started creating content in the first place to achieve business goals,rather than content objectives. Michele Linn Tweet it:Remember why you started creating content in 1st place - to achieve business goals. @jaybaer@michelelinn http://bit.ly/SDaU8Y #CMI4212 Months of Content Marketing Ideas for SlideShareTo get started on the road to SlideShare content marketing success, build your ideas into youreditorial calendar, assign one of the above ideas to each of the 12 upcoming months, and thendelegate and schedule the activities required for each presentation. Roger Parker Tweet it:To get started on @SlideShare #contentmarketing success, build ideas into editorial calendar.@rogercparker http://bit.ly/Z5RnXB #CMI42#CMI42

15. 42 Content Marketing Ideas for 2013Create a piece of content in 2013 that would be completely unexpected and see whathappens. Joe Pulizzi Tweet it:Create a piece of content in 2013 that would be completely unexpected; see what happens.@juntajoe http://bit.ly/XoRSuD #CMI4221 Types of Content We CraveIf your content doesnt resonate with your audience, then they wont follow you where youwant to take them. For content marketers, this is a cardinal sin. The Key Question Is: What kindof content universally resonates with people? Scott Aughtmon Tweet it:If your content doesnt resonate with your audience, then they wont follow you@rampbusinesses http://bit.ly/XJeuoW #CMI42 #CMI42

16. How to Create an Idea Dashboard to Track Your Favorite Content IdeasJust like the dashboard of your automobile allows you to monitor numerous functions at a glance(i.e., current speed, miles traveled, available gasoline, current radio station, and comfort settings,etc.), an idea dashboard helps you monitor ideas worthy of further study. Roger Parker Tweet it:An idea dashboard helps you monitor ideas worthy of further study. @rogercparkerhttp://bit.ly/XJf2vb #CMI427 Tricks Content Marketing Trendsetters Can Teach You for 2013Forming relevant partnerships is an age-old marketing technique that you can put to good usein your content marketing. By partnering up, you can reach new audience members. Partneringdoesnt always require you to find a match within your industry; all you need to share is a targetaudience. Mark Sherbin Tweet it:Partnering doesnt require finding an industry match. All you need to share is target audience.@marksherbin http://bit.ly/W8kqGd #CMI42 #CMI42

17. 5 Content Strategies for Boring BrandsNo matter what kind of product or service you offer, theres no reason for a boringpresentation. Any product can be showcased in a way that is interesting, appealing,even surprising! Patricia Redsicker Tweet it:Any product can be showcased in a way that is interesting, appealing, even surprising!@predsicker http://bit.ly/12q7zAo #CMI42100 Inspirational, Educational and Just-Plain-Cool Content Marketing ExamplesLooking for content marketing ideas? Arent we all? In the moments when I feel mostoverwhelmed with all the blogs, white papers, articles, social media posts, and more thatexist online, sometimes it helps to take a step back and just browse my favorite sites forinspiration. Anna Ritchie Tweet it:Sometimes it helps to take a step back & just browse my favorite sites for inspiration.@apritchie http://bit.ly/YRDp8V #CMI42#CMI42

18. Content Marketing Playbook 2011: 42 Free Ways to Connect with CustomersIn addition to the 42 tactics, weve included over 50 different case study examples to help pointyou in the right direction, with links to the sample projects, from the likes of IBM, Kelly Services,OpenView Venture Partners, Deloitte and more (as well as our own from the Content MarketingInstitute). Joe Pulizzi Tweet it:#ContentMarketing Playbook: In addition to 42 tactics, weve included 50+ case study examples@juntajoe http://bit.ly/10w2gNT #CMI42How Your Content Marketing Can Ignite a MovementAsk yourself: What content can your brand embrace to create a movement or tap a trend? Andrew Davis Tweet it:Ask yourself: What content can your brand embrace to create a movement or tap a trend?@TPLDrew http://bit.ly/14DrShi #CMI42#CMI42

19. 10 Must-Have Templates for Content MarketersOne of the things that can help most with content marketing is templates those step-by-stepguides that walk you through how to do something. Michele Linn Tweet it:One of the things that can help most with #contentmarketing is templates. @michelelinnhttp://bit.ly/W1DCGm #CMI42Checklist: 15 Questions to Answer Before Starting a Content Marketing Project[There are 15] questions I suggest writers ask before submitting a proposal to get a feel for thescope of the project and to avoid any potential misunderstandings. Clare McDermott Tweet it:[There are 15] questions I suggest writers ask before submitting a proposal... ideas from@soloportfolio http://bit.ly/10xeF2L #CMI42 #CMI42

20. Why Content Marketers Need to be Involved in Site RedesignsWhether its a funky new website or an overhaul of an existing site, the content strategy shouldbe getting discussed from day one. Adam Barber Tweet it:Whether new site or overhaul of existing site, discuss content strategy on day 1.@castlefordmedia http://bit.ly/12cNd0P #CMI4212 Things to Do After Youve Written a New Blog PostRather than rely solely on search engines and a handful of subscribers to pump up your organicvolume, content publishers need to establish syndication connections and plan for sometargeted promotion to ensure that each piece of content gets noticed by key influencers andyour ideal customers. Brody Dorland Tweet it:Content publishers need to establish syndication connections & plan for targeted promotions.@brodydorland http://bit.ly/11jOxfC #CMI42 #CMI42

21. 7 NEW Things to Do After Youve Written a New Blog PostEveryone in your company should be syndicating your blog content on their LinkedIn profilesvia the WordPress or BlogLink applications. Brody Dorland Tweet it:Everyone in your co. should be syndicating your blog content on @linkedin profiles@brodydorland http://bit.ly/12ew6be #CMI4221 Things to Help Your Infographics go ViralOnce youve determined your goals, identify your targets before making the infographic. Whoneeds to share this for it to have the best chances of achieving your goal? What do I need to do,and what do I need to produce, for them to share it? Andrianes Pinantoan Tweet it:Who needs to share [your infographic] for it to have best chances of achieving your goal?@andreispsyched http://bit.ly/YRG4iT #CMI42#CMI42

22. Creating Valuable Content: An Essential ChecklistGreat content strategy is about taking the guesswork out of execution, so creativity aboutcontent can flourish Ahava Leibtag Tweet it:Great content strategy is abt taking guesswork out of execution so content creativity can flourish.@ahaval http://bit.ly/ZyW5WY #CMI425 Steps to Creating an Effective Content MixToo many companies just set their employees loose to create articles or blog posts. Whilethis isnt necessarily the worst idea, it doesnt support a clear focus for the content. You wantyour content to strike the right balance between being informative and entertaining while alsomaking sure it supports a larger company strategy. Kathy Hanbury Tweet it:Too many companies just set their employees loose to create articles or blog posts.@KathyHanbury http://bit.ly/Z60I1J #CMI42#CMI42

23. 17 Techie Shortcuts for Content MarketingIts a tough job market, and every content professional feels the pressure to superperformfrom time to time to keep the content flowing and the client happy. So, you either need to finda way to clone yourself or find a way to get everything done so you continue to look like themarketing genius that you are. Jodi Harris Tweet it:In tough job market every content professional feels pressure to superperform from time to time@joderama http://bit.ly/10ojCgW #CMI42About the Content Marketing Institute:The Content Marketing Institute (CMI) is the leading global content marketing education andtraining organization. CMI teaches enterprise brands how to attract and retain customersthrough compelling, multi-channel storytelling. CMIs Content Marketing World event is thelargest content marketing-focused event. CMI also produces the quarterly magazineChiefContent Officer, and provides strategic consulting and content marketing research forsome of the best-known brands in the world. Get more content marketing resources atContentMarketingInstitute.com. CMI is a division of Z Squared Media, a 2012 Inc. 500 company. #CMI42